Dakar

May be distinguished by its ethnic diversity, multicultural features, varied arts and traditions.

Dakar may be distinguished by its ethnic diversity, its multicultural features, its varied arts and traditions.

Located in the most western point in the African continent, at 465 km from Cape Verde, Dakar is the capital and the largest Senegalese city.

What to see in Dakar?

The main tourist spots in Dakar include:

The Monument African Renaissance dedicated to the end of slavery and to the African Independence from the European regimes that used to rule the continent.

The Théodore Monod African Arts Museum is one of the most interesting museums in Dakar and a must for African art lovers. It has got an excellent collection of masks and statues from all over West Africa.

The Great Mosque was built in 1964 and is an attraction of great meaning in this Muslim country. It is here that the Muslims gather to pray very Friday. Non-Muslim women are not allowed into the Mosques, whereas non-Muslim men are, since they only want to watch.

And great marketplaces like:

Sandaga Market – This is a three-storey structure where you can find meat and vegetables on the main floor, fish in the basement and food stands on the upper floor.

HLMMarket – This is a traditional fabric market with which you can make typical Senegalese clothes.

Kermel Market – Here you can buy handicrafts, food and flowers. It is close to the Sandaga Market and deserves a visit to see the building and its stands.

Dakar i s also appreciated for its long and beautiful beaches. The most popular beaches are Plage Bel-Air, N’Gor and Yoff.

The small Island of Gorée is with only 0,182km2. It has a rich history and a grand colonial architecture and was declared Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO. In the palmy days of slavery, this island was a slave trade centre and an embarkation spot to the Americas. You can access the island by daily ferries from the Senegalese capital.

Some attractions on Gorée include the Slaves’ House, museums dedicated to women, to the sea, to Senegal’s history and Gorée Castle.